MidwayUSA

MidwayUSA has been the go-to for reloaders and gunsmiths since most of us were kids—but their customer service isn't what it used to be.

Larry and Brenda Potterfield started this thing in their basement back in 1977, selling reloading supplies. Now it's one of the biggest online gun retailers in the country, with over 100,000 products shipping out of Columbia, Missouri.

Larry's been around forever—NRA board member, competitive shooter, the whole deal. You've probably seen him on their videos explaining reloading basics. The MidwayUSA Foundation he started funds youth shooting teams nationwide, which is solid work.

Here's how they grew: basement reloading business in '77, expanded into gunsmithing tools through the '80s and '90s, jumped on the internet early, and kept growing until they became the warehouse operation they are today.

• •MidwayUSA's growth from basement startup to major online retailer

MidwayUSA is online-only—no stores to walk into. You order from midwayusa.com, they ship it to you or your FFL.

They do some things really well. The reloading component selection is massive—Hornady, Sierra, Nosler, all the powders you want when they're available. Gunsmithing tools run deep too. If you know exactly what you need and want it fast, they'll usually deliver.

But the customer service has gone downhill. Used to be you could call and talk to someone who knew their stuff. Now you get long hold times and whoever picks up might not know a die set from a drill bit.

The chat system is mostly useless—automated garbage that just frustrates you.

The inventory accuracy problem: Their website will show something in stock when it's actually backordered. If you need something for a weekend shoot, call to verify before you order.

Everything. Seriously—if it's related to shooting sports, they probably have it.

• •Reloading components are their bread and butter. They started here and they're still strong:

• •Bullet manufacturers: Hornady, Sierra, Nosler
• •Powders: All major brands when available
• •Primers: When you can find them
• •Started here and still their strongest category

• •Gunsmithing tools run the full gamut. Brownells stuff, Wheeler, Lyman, RCBS—whatever you need to work on guns. Selection rivals Brownells, though their tech support doesn't.

Firearms cover most major manufacturers. Standard deal—they ship to your FFL, you do the transfer there. Pricing is usually competitive.

Ammunition availability fluctuates like everywhere else, but they carry all the major brands. During shortages, forget it. When supply is normal, pricing is decent.

Optics run from budget Chinese glass to high-end European stuff. Leupold, Vortex, Trijicon—they've got it. Not as specialized as someplace like EuroOptic, but the selection is broad.

The reloading equipment selection is comprehensive. RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Redding, Dillon presses and dies. If you're setting up a reloading bench, you can get everything from one place.

Customer service used to be their strong suit. Now it's their weak point. Phone support has long wait times and the knowledge level varies wildly. You might get someone helpful, or you might get someone reading from a script who doesn't know what you're talking about.

The chat system is mostly automated and useless. Email works but takes time.

If you need actual technical advice on reloading or gunsmithing, you're better off calling Brownells or asking on forums.

Returns are standard—60 days on most items, but some restrictions apply and processing can be slow. Not terrible, just not great.

• •Decision flowchart for when to choose MidwayUSA vs. alternatives

• •When MidwayUSA makes sense: You know what you want, you're comparing prices, and customer service isn't critical. For reloading components and gunsmithing tools, the selection is hard to beat.

• •When to look elsewhere: If you need guidance on what to buy, technical support, or want to talk to knowledgeable people. Brownells costs more but their support is much better. For pure ammo buying, dedicated ammo dealers like SGAmmo or Lucky Gunner often beat their prices.

• •MidwayUSA built their reputation on serving reloaders and gunsmiths, and the product selection still reflects that strength. The Potterfields did good work building this company and supporting shooting sports through their foundation.

Somewhere along the way, they decided customer service was less important than moving volume. The old-timers who remember calling MidwayUSA and getting real help aren't wrong—it was better before.

You can still get good deals there, especially during sales. The reloading component selection remains excellent when stuff is available.

Just don't expect much hand-holding. Know what you want, verify it's actually in stock for time-critical orders, and you'll probably be fine.

For straightforward purchases where price matters more than service, they're still solid. For anything requiring expertise or support, spend a few extra bucks and go with Brownells.